Known for its harbourfront, Sydney is one of Australia’s largest cities and the capital of New South Wales. The distinctive Opera House with its ‘sails’ and the Sydney Harbour Bridge connecting the central business district and the North Shore are visual reminders of the city’s identity with the water.
We were fortunate to be able to spend several days in Sydney after the cruise with Mom and Dad. Highlights were walking along the beaches, cliffs, and gardens, shopping at organic food stores, activewear stores, and bookshops, and pausing with a long black and thick slices of banana bread.
Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour has an active wharf with ferries, cruise ships, sail boats, and kayakers. The iconic Sydney Opera House hosts many performances all year in its 5 venues. We attended “Christmas Actually,” a fantastic concert of Love Actually starring Australian top singers. The Central Business District (CBD) rises above Circular Quay, the main ferry terminal in Sydney. Sydney Harbour Bridge is photogenic from all angles, like this one from North Sydney. The 3,770-foot bridge is crossed at the same time by pedestrians, bikers, train, and cars each in their own lanes. Delight in another Sydney Harbour view from a ‘secret garden’ built by Wendy Whiteley, wife of local artist Brett Whiteley. A view of the Sydney Harbour from the Royal Botanic Garden.
Royal Botanic Garden
One of the most well-known sites of the Royal Botanic Garden is Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, a sandstone rock bench carved by convicts in 1810 for the wife of Governor Macquarie. Many continue to enjoy the vantage point of the harbour.Opened in 1816, the Royal Botanic Garden is an important historic botanical institution, preserving endangered plant species, like this Wollemi Pine, one of the world’s oldest and rarest plants with only three stands known in the wild.
Manly Beach
A 30-minute ferry transports us to Manly Beach, one of Sydney’s most popular beaches. Fantastic views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House along the ride make the trip especially memorable. The one-mile stretch of sand gives plenty of space for tanners, swimmers, and surfers. Learn to surf with the active surf school for both adults and kids. At the southern end of Manly Beach, Shelly Beach is a cove with cafes, including the Boathouse Shelly Beach that serves fresh, vibrant dishes in an atmospheric setting. The menu offers typical Aussie food: toast (sourdough, grain, soy & linseed) with spreads (avocado, vegemite, butter, marmalade), eggs benny, oysters, burgers, and smoked salmon.Enjoying an iced long black and watching locals braving the chilly ocean water.Beautiful ocean all along the coasts.Climb the overlook at Shelly Beach located in the northern end of Manly Beach for spectacular views of Northern Beaches. This plaque offers inspiration and reassurance of God almighty.
Taronga Zoo
The Taronga Zoo is a short ferry ride from the City. Continuing the adventure of the travel, a cable car whisks you to the entrance. Enjoy a bird show while admiring the beautiful harbour views with the zoo’s creatures. Highlights include the nocturnal platypus, giraffes, Asian elephants, and tigers. Tigers snacking on deer (but not the ones in the zoo!).Emu are the second-largest bird by height after the ostrich, its ratite or flightless relative, and native to Australia.
Luna Park
Luna Park has been a Sydney playground since 1936 with rides, a carousel, and Coney Island. At night, the park lights up across the bay.Luna Park and its Santa-double bring smiles all around.Luna Park’s rides like the Carousel, Ferris Wheel, and Slides are a favorite for local school groups and tourists.
University of Sydney
Exploring the University of Sydney. Founded in 1850, it is Australia’s first university and is regularly ranked among the world’s top 50. University of Sydney’s campus includes the Quadrangle and beyond, with a field station on the Great Barrier Reef and working farms. The University faculties include Arts and Social Sciences, whose entry to the department is featured here, Business, and Engineering to Medicine and Health.
Sydney City Center
Christmas trees decorate the city. At night, this tree in Martin Place becomes a synchronized music-light show.Queen Victoria Building. Built in the 1890s, the QVB has over 180 fashion boutiques, jewelry shops, and cafes. Stained glass, lush carpet, and grand staircases add to the opulence.
Bondi Beach
With beautiful golden beaches running along the coast, from the charming harbour side and ferry ride to Manly Beach, northwards, to the sensational 6km Bondi to Coogee Cliff Walk southwards, the beach is an essential part of the Sydney life. Plunge into the surf or catch a wave at Bondi Beach to catch the local vibe.Walking along the Bondi to Coogee Cliff Walk, one of the best urban coastal walks possible, features stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, and rock pools. Coogee Beach is a relaxed beach community with cafes and pubs on the beachfront. The deep sweep of sand appeals to swimmers, tanners, frisbee tossers to barbecues and surfers. Icebergs, a popular rock ocean pool with a restaurant and bar with views of Bondi beach. The pool is named after the (brave!) members who swim there regularly in the winter. Stunning views at every turn.Walking along the trail Fish and chips at Doyles on the Wharf, a legendary family-run seafood takeaway kiosk since 1885. Located on Watsons Bay, Doyles can be reached within minutes via a ferry from Circular Quay. Another spectacular cliff walk, Federation Cliff Walk stretches north of Bondi from Dover Heights to Diamond Bay. The path goes through suburban streets and parks and passes by the Macquarie Lighthouse, Australia’s first lighthouse (1818). The Gap Bluff was the site of Sydney’s tragic Dunbar shipwreck in 1857 with the loss of 121 passengers and crew. The sole survivor was washed up and wedged into a crevice on the cliffs 10m above the waves. Forest fires close in on Sydney, making grey, smoky days.
Sydney food!
Delicious, juicy summer fruit includes peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, and mangoes.Haigh’s Chocolate, a favorite brand that creates quality Australian-made chocolates. Boxes of chocolate are perfect for gifting for Christmas. Freshly baked banana bread is sold at every cafe, side deli, and food store. Buy by the slice or by the loaf. Hefty, this one weighs in at 1 kilogram or 2.2 lbs!Alongside banana bread, cafes sell ‘power balls,’ date-cashew-coconut-cocoa chewy balls. Even McCafe sells banana bread in Australia.
